Oil slicks found again in Latvian river

Slick bars have again been installed on the River Dzvina in the vicinity of Kraslava and Daugavpils in Latvia, after new contamination of water was detected, reports the Latvian news agency LETA citing the National Rescure ad Fire-fighting Service of Latvia.  According to Inga Vetere, a spokeswoman for the rescue authority, they received information about new oil slicks on May 12.

Rescuers also contacted their colleagues in Belarus, which assured the Latvian counterparts that no new accidents on the oil pipeline took place in Belarus, reports LETA.

On May 5, diesel leacked from a Russia-operated pipeline in the northern Belarus after the pipe burst.

At least 5 tons of diesel leaked from the damaged pipe, according to the Minstry for Emergencies of Belarus.

The diesel leaked into an irrigation canal that was connected with River Sviachanka and later with River Ula which enters the River Zahodniaja Dzvina (Daugava in Latvia).

But Belarus officials said the canal was blocked with soil damps and assured that diesel did not get into the river.